SHANGHAI -- China has initiated a construction project of a major plane industrial base in Shanghai to provide solid support for the country's ambition of domestic manufacture of civil airplanes.

The base, located in Dachang, Baoshan District, is expected to manufacture 50 ARJ21 airplanes annually after it begins production, said the China Aviation Industry Corporation I (AVIC I) on Thursday.

With an investment of 1.8 billion yuan (US$225 million), the Dachang base covers an area of 80 mu (5.3 ha). The construction began on Wednesday.

The design of the ARJ21 airplane, the country's first locally developed short haul jet, has been completed and it is expected to conduct its maiden flight in March 2008, according to the company.

ARJ21 planes are designed to carry 70 to 110 passengers. The airframe is 3.14 meters wide and 2.06 meters high.

At present, China uses foreign-made Boeing, Airbus and Bombardier planes for flights of domestic air routes.